Ian Duncan

Castlegate and Derwent Surgery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was placed in special measures after a February Care Quality Commission inspection found breaches involving safe care and treatment, management, safeguarding and complaints. A North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board report says the practice has since improved complaints handling, incident oversight, safeguarding, access recovery, triage and governance documentation. Cumberland Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee is expected to consider the report and endorse continued support and proportionate oversight to ensure the improvements are sustained.

A motion by Green Party councillors to ban sky lanterns and balloons on Cumberland Council land failed, with 20 councillors opposing, two abstaining and nine supporting. Supporters cited wildfire risks, livestock harm and long-lasting environmental pollution, while backing from the National Farmers Union and the RSPCA failed to shift the outcome. Concerns highlighted included metal debris on farmland, crop and building damage, and persistent balloon waste along coastlines.

Planning officers recommended approval for a 480‑home Persimmon Homes development in Newby West near Carlisle despite resident objections over green space, infrastructure, biodiversity and flood risk. Cumberland Council will decide on the outline application next week, which would require 30% affordable housing and about £2.5 million for secondary school provision if approved. The proposal mirrors a previously approved but unbuilt 2018 plan and sits near the site of a separate 10,000‑home village project.

Cumberland Council’s planning committee is expected to approve M-Sport’s proposal to build 15 luxury lodges at its Dovenby Hall estate near Cockermouth. The lodges would serve short-stay visitors attending events at the motorsport facility, which includes a test track, workshops and historic buildings. Local councillor Martin Harris and several objectors raised concerns about flood risk, noise, traffic, environmental impact and overdevelopment, but officers recommended approval with conditions.

Cumberland Council must find £60m in savings over three years, including £25m in the next budget cycle, with officials warning the scale of reductions poses a major challenge. Finance chief Catherine Bell urged creative approaches to achieving the cuts, while councillors were told that some savings will take time to implement. Conservative Gareth Ellis cautioned that failure to meet targets could put the council at financial risk similar to neighbouring Westmorland and Furness Council, which has warned it may need a Section 114 notice. Reduced funding from the government’s Fair Funding Review has intensified pressures as the council continues working toward £35m of savings already planned for this year.